Afternoon arrival to Paro. Visit to National Museum and Paro dzong (Rinpung dzong), the castle-monastery where Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha film was shot. Walk through the busy little town.

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Paro

Early morning drive Drukyel dzong, the castle ruins from where you can see the summit of holy Jomolhari mountain in clear weather. Climb to Taktsang gomba (Tiger’s Nest), is the highlight of the tour. While the hike seems to be hard, it’s very rewarding. If you don’t feel so strong, you can climb just halfway to cafeteria with nice view of the place. Then stop at Kyichu lhakhang, one of the two oldest temples built in Bhutan. If time permits, you can also visit National Museum.

3

Drive: Paro – GeynekhaTrek: Geynekha – Gur

Trek 6 km, 3-4 hours ↗610m. Today we will start trekking after 2 hours drive to Geynekha village (2900 m). On the way we will stop to see Tachog lhakhang to see the bridge reconstructed with old chains smithed by ancient saint and bridge builder Thangton Gampo. After less than 1 hour drive, we will reach to Chuzom, the confluence of Paro chu and Wang chu rivers. From here car will start ascending to the hill by feeder road, until we reach Geynekha village in 2300 meters. This area was formerly busy trail connecting Thimphu and Paro with important Daga district to the south. Area was rich from trade but also from mining iron ore and other minerals. There is ruined castle Genye dzong. While the main utse (tower) hosting temple is still there, the fortification collapsed. From Genyekha the trek will start ascending gently up until we reach Geynizampa which is sometimes used as campsite. From here you will continue climb through beautiful oak forest. After some 1-1.5 hour climbing you will reach viewpoint at 3200m. Finally you will reach to the top of the ridge in 3350m. Spend a night in the nearby campsite.

4

Trek: Gur – Labatama

Trek 13km, 5 hours, ↗820m, ↘200m. Continue climbing through forest until you reach mountain pastures in elevation 3440m. After some climbing you will reach to herder huts settlement in 3710m called Gibze Kebze, sometimes also used for camping. After crossing few creeks and further ascending you’ll reach small saddle and soon after cross the Pagalabtsa La pass (4170m). Now you will finally see shattered mountain landscape in front of you with the panorama of Dagala range. From here, the trail is bit tricky. You should continue to the east in direction of two herders stone houses of Watching hamlet. Continue traversing the ridge, cross smaller saddle and descend to valley with few herders’ huts. This is Labatama (4050m), a possible camp. In summer months this place is full of local herders camping and grazing their animals. It's also junction of trails heading north-east to Timphu and south to Dagana. You can still spend some time exploring the surrounding areas.

5

Trek: Labatama – Kheri Khewa

Trek 11km, 6-7 hours, ↗436m, ↘686m (high route). This day, you have option to go easier lower route along with your horses and staff or take more demanding and also rewarding high route. We strongly recommend high trail. Start climbing to the high trail leading the passing around Serbho Tsho lake and some other lakes. It's said that there is 108 lakes (sacred number) in this area. Finally you reach a pass in 4520m and if you like, you can continue climb to Jomo (Dagala) Peak viewpoint (4716m). This is the abode of Aum Jomo goddess of Dagala who said to be great fond of young men but despise monks and women. In clear weather, you might be rewarded by views Jomolhari and Kanchenjunga peaks. Now descend down from the pass to the herder's campsite in around 4350m and reach lower route near Dochcha Chhu stream. After descending from the pass and again joining lower route, you will continue walking through pastures with nice views. Finally you reach camp Kheri Khewa.

6

Trek: Kheri Khewa – Tshokam

Trek 10km, 6-7 hours. Another hiking through the magic landscape of Dagala. We have some modederate distance to cover this day, so no need to hurry. We will be crossing the pass over 4200 meters pass, getting beautiful views of the mountain. Finally we will descend through changing vegetation to Tshokam, "the dried lake", where the last night of the trek will be spent.

7

Trek: Tshokam – Chamgang, drive to Thimphu

Trek 8km, 4 hours. This will be tiring day for your knees, descending to Chamgang Vehicle will be waiting for you, so this will be the time to say goodbye to your staff and horses. Still there will be about 1 hour drive down. You will see first dzong in Bhutan built by country’s unifier Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel. Arrival to Thimphu and rest. You might like to try massage in some of the hotels. Spend day in rest or other optional activity.

8

Thimphu – Paro

Early morning drive to Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic statue of Buddha overlooking the valley and walk to striking city viewpoint. See Memorial Chorten, always busy with devotees. Walk in Norzin lam street and see the traffic police signalling in junctions. Thimphu is only capital in the world without the traffic lights. Finish walk in main postal office with shop where beautiful and valuable Bhutanese stamps can be bought. Visit school of traditional arts, where the young men and women learns the arts and craft of their forefathers. Excursion to Takin enclosure, where the national animal, the mysterious takin, is kept. After that Changankha lhakhang, the oldest place of worship in the valley. Take a free time to explore town on your own. Late afternoon visit to Tashichho dzong, seat of the king and government. Evening drive to Paro.

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Departure

Departure from Bhutan.

Tour variants, extensions and combinations:

Extra day to explore Dagala (+1 day): Spend one more day in Labatama camp and explore the area with hundreds of lakes and picturesque rocks.